2011_Digest_No1

F O R A L U M N I A N D F R I E N D S O F P H I L A D E L P H I A C O L L E G E O F O S T E O P A T H I C M E D I C I N E

STRATEGIC

DIGEST

Initiative

2 0 1 1 No1

FEATURES

Strategic Initiative ............................................................................................8

Founders’ Day 2011 ......................................................................................14

A Cry for Help ..............................................................................................18

DEPARTMENTS

Updates ............................................................................................................2

Class Notes ....................................................................................................22

My Turn Essay ..............................................................................................28

conTEnTS

EDITORJENNIFER SCHAFFER LEONE

CREATIVE DIRECTORWENDY W. ROMANO

ASSOCIATE EDITORCAROL L. WEISL

ALUMNI EDITORSMADELINE LAWPAMELA RUOFFFLORENCE D. ZELLER

GRAPHIC DESIGNER ABIGAIL HARMON

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSANUPRIYA GROVER (DO ’13)JENNIFER SCHAFFER LEONENANCY WEST

PHOTOGRAPHERSBRUCE FAIRFIELDJOHN SHETRONED WHEELER

Contact Us

PHONE

215-871-6300

FAX

215-871-6307

E-MAIL

[email protected]

MAIL

4180 City Avenue

Philadelphia, PA 19131-1695

www.pcom.edu

Digest, the magazine for alumni and friends ofPhiladelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (Vol.72, No. 1, USPS, 413-060), is published three timesa year by the Departments of Marketing andCommunications and Alumni Relations andDevelopment. Periodical postage is paid at UpperDarby, PA, and at additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to:DigestAlumni Relations and DevelopmentPhiladelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine4180 City AvenuePhiladelphia, PA 19131-1695

Opinions expressed are not necessarily shared by the College or the editors.

DIGEST2 0 11 N o 1

ON THE COVER: Image by John Shetron. It has been said that knowledge comes by light, starting with a flicker, growing to a flame. Its very progress is strategic in nature. Pictured is the Flame of Knowledge, the College’s icon, as rendered in the rotunda area of Georgia Campus – PCOM. The artistic form takesadvantage of natural light through the use of skylights and partitions and links the educational spaces, labs and offices.

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Opening RemaRks

Dear Alumni and Friends,

Ten years ago, the PCOM community began a strategic planning processwhich has allowed the College to envision its future and bring that future intoreality. Since that time, active participation and transparency have fostered anexchange of ideas and have defined important goals which allow us to respondto the challenges we face and the opportunities that lie ahead.

I am grateful to all who have participated—and continue to participate—in the annual strategic planning process. I especially thank those who lead theprocess and those who work to align objectives and finances, including thePCOM Board of Trustees. Its confidence in and support of the process has beenparamount to our successes. Together, our community’s collaborations and discoveries make future prospects bright.

The feature article of this issue of Digest outlines the College’s strategic initiatives throughout the past decade. I welcome your ideas and feedback asour community continues to move forward.

Other articles in this magazine issue directly tie into our teaching, researchand service missions. Profiles of Founders’ Day honorees Robert S. Maurer, DO ’62, and John M. Clark (DO ’11) provide examples of those who demonstrate outstanding leadership, loyalty and service to PCOM and to theosteopathic profession. The article “A Cry for Help” provides an application of integrated school psychology and medical research pertaining to children’sperceptions of self and evaluation of worth. And the My Turn essay offers acompelling perspective of a young medical student’s soul searching and witnessto her father’s physician practice as an inspirational model.

I thank you for your continued interest in and support of PCOM.

With warmest regards,

Matthew Schure, PhDPresident and Chief Executive Officer

P h i l a D e l P h i a C o l l e g e o f o s t e o P a t h i C M e D i C i n e2

Updates

2

CURRENT AND FUTURE PCOMPHYSICIANS MEET AND GREETPCOM alumni, faculty and DO students had the

opportunity to meet one another, ask and answer questionsand share their enthusiasm for medicine and the Collegeduring this year’s Student and Alumni Networking Night. “I believe in PCOM and the education the College providesto students. I want to encourage them any way I can,” saysemergency medicine physician Joanne Hullings, DO ’96,director, PCOM Alumni Association.Dr. Hullings was just the doctor first-year student Justin

Shelton (DO ’14) had hoped to meet. Mr. Shelton wassearching for a shadowing opportunity in an ER. He alsohad the opportunity to meet Joseph Kuchinski, DO ’86,chairman of emergency medicine at Trinitas Hospital inElizabeth, New Jersey, and director, PCOM AlumniAssociation. “It’s important to meet students,” says Dr.Kuchinski. “Their future is the future of our profession.”Bradley Brocious (DO ’14) appreciated “the opportunity

to meet doctors who are established in their field and get anidea what practicing medicine is really like.” “It’s nice to see

GRANT FUNDS NEW PRIMARY CAREPROGRAMWith the goal of increasing the number of PCOM med-

ical students choosing to enter family medicine/primarycare, Eugene Mochan, DO ’77, PhD, professor, familymedicine; associate dean of osteopathic primary care andcontinuing medical education, wrote the grant“Establishing a Predoctoral Collaborative Center forEnhancing Interest in Primary Care Practice.” The grantwas funded for $900,000 over five years by the federalHealth Resources and Services Administration.

The grant funds will be used to create a special program formedical students, the Primary Care Scholars Program (PCSP).The PCSP focuses on achieving three main goals: exposingstudents to patients during their first year of medical school;fostering collaboration between students in the DO, physicianassistant and psychology programs; and introducing studentsto the patient-centered medical home model. “The goal of theprogram is to enhance the primary care experience to keepstudents excited about this vital field,” says Dr. Mochan.“Primary care is extremely important to the well-being of

our communities,” stresses Dr. Mochan. “This grant programwill help us train the best primary care physicians possible.”

HEALTHCARE CENTER MAKES A MOVEPCOM Healthcare Center – City Avenue Division is

moving from Rowland Hall, Suite 315, to the first floorand will be known as Family Medicine at PCOM. Theoffice will be located in the front of Rowland Hall facingCity Avenue. “This move will rebrand the building,” saysKenneth J. Veit, DO ’76, MBA, provost, senior vice presi-dent for academic affairs and dean. Moving into a space that was previously occupied by a

bank, the facility will be extended toward City Avenue witha glass façade. “People driving or walking by will see whitecoats. They’ll see activity. Along with our excellent patientcare, PCOM will have a visibility we didn’t have before,”notes Dr. Veit.

John Chovanes, DO ’00 (center left), a trauma surgeon atCooper University Hospital, and Joseph Nyzio, DO ’00 (center right), director, PCOM Alumni Association, and presidentof the MediKine Group, LLC, share their career experiences.

Family Medicine at PCOM nears completion.

where we’re going to be down the road,” concluded Veronica Boyle (DO ’14).

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Updates

TECHNOLOGY IN THECLASSROOMThe days are over of feverishly tak-

ing notes during lectures while look-ing at overhead images and thendouble checking with fellow class-mates to confirm the pertinent infor-mation. Tegrity, a lecture capturesystem, has been live in classroomsthroughout the College for over ayear. The system automatically cap-tures, stores and indexes virtuallyevery class on campus and makesthem available to students anywherethey have an internet connection. “Students love it,” reportsJohn Clark (DO ’11), co-chair of the Student GovernmentAssociation Technology Committee that worked withPCOM administration and Management InformationSystems to implement the system. “There’s an indexing sys-tem so students can jump to any place in the lecture andsearch for specific words or disease states and find all the lec-tures that talk about that. Some students learn best by repeti-tion, and they can revisit a lecture time and time again.”Another technological advancement being used in lecture

halls is an audience response system. Each student is given a “clicker,” a handheld device that registers responses to questions posed by instructors. The system is especially useful in helping instructors gear their lectures to meet student needs. “One way I use the clicker is as a pre- andpost-test. I ask questions at the beginning of the lecture toassess the student knowledge base and then I can gear my

lecture based on the students’strengths and weaknesses,” explainsSean Guinane, MS, PA-C, assistantprofessor, physician assistant stud-ies. “I also use the clicker through-out the class,” he continues. “Theattention span of young people hasdecreased over the years, andadding an activity like the clickerrestarts their attention and getsthem back into the lecture.”Also new is Wimba, a video con-

ferencing system that allows forinteractive lectures at remote sites.Students can log in to a live lectureand fully interact with the professor

and other students. “Wimba will be a big advantage formedical students rotating outside a 60-mile radius of campus,” says Mr. Clark, who notes that the system shouldbe available by June. This technology is also especiallyimportant to the forensic, psychology and ODL studentswho travel to campus for weekly or monthly classes thatmay be compromised by bad weather. It’s also an extremelyimportant tool for the Office of Admissions, which uses itfor virtual information sessions. “We can host live videochats with a room full of prospective students; at the sametime, prospective students can participate from their dormrooms,” says Jonathan Cox, admissions recruiter. “We canhost faculty/student question and answer sessions, and wecan visit more schools this way, which saves us all a lot oftime and money.”

SCHWEITZER FELLOW SERVESCOMMUNITYJillian Heck (DO ’13) has been selected as a 2010-2011

Greater Philadelphia Schweitzer Fellow. Named for thehumanitarian, theologian and physician, the fellowship hasthe mission of developing “leaders in service.” Ms. Heck isjust that. Prior to enrolling in PCOM, Ms. Heck was activein service projects both in the United States and abroad.Staying true to her passion of serving others, she and herlongtime friend, Melissa Warriner, a physical therapy stu-dent at the Jefferson School of Health Professions, also aSchweitzer Fellow, developed a year-long project to educateteens about HIV. Working at the after-school program atNorth Light Community Center in the Manayunk sectionof Philadelphia, the two fellows help debunk myths, explainthe science and show the human face of HIV. They haveeven created a manual so the program can be continued bythe next team of fellows. After the year-long fellowship, thetwo will become Schweitzer Fellows for Life. The two wereinterviewed on NBC10; view the interview on PCOM’sYouTube channel: www.youtube.com/pcomeducation.

Jillian Heck (DO ’13) (right) and Melissa Warriner often brainstorm for their Schweitzer Fellow project during their dailyruns together.

The I >Clicker system helps assess student knowledgeand increase student engagement.


Updates

COMMON KNOWLEDGEThe Digital Commons at PCOM electronically preserves

and provides internet access to a range of historical collec-tions and scholarly and creative works of the PCOM com-munity. Phase one of the commons has been completed andcontains student dissertations, classic medical works, andCollege collections including catalogs, commencement pro-grams, histories and yearbooks. Phase two of the project willinclude faculty publications. Visitors to the commons maysearch for documents by author keyword, discipline or both.To visit the commons, go to the PCOM Web site,

www.pcom.edu, and click on the Digital Commons buttonon the left-hand side of the page.To help the Digital Commons at PCOM complete its

collection of yearbooks, please contact Etheldra Templeton,professor and chair, library science; executive director, libraryand educational information systems ([email protected] 215-871-6486) if you have a copy of a 1943, 1945-1949,1951-1953 or 1955 yearbook. The library will gratefullydigitize copies of any missing years, and return the originalsto their owners.

STUDENTS IMPRESS AT INTERNATIONALCONVENTIONPrecious Barnes (DO/MS ’11) and Nicole Myers

(DO/MS ’11) joined Michael Kuchera, DO, director ofOMM research, in Potsdam, Germany, at the InternationalFederation for Manual/Musculoskeletal Medicine (FIMM)to present their research and help train physicians in the useof OMM. They were accompanied by Frank Casella,MS/Biomed ’10, assistant research coordinator for theHuman Performance and Biomechanics Lab.“It was a privilege to work with physicians from all over

the world,” says Ms. Barnes. “Many of them were MDswho had never practiced OMM. At first they were wary ofbeing trained by students, but once they found out we wereDr. Kuchera’s students, they were very enthusiastic.” The students made such an impression that they were

invited to teach, table train and do research in Finland andTurkey, and were welcomed by the president of FIMM todo the same in Denmark.

Ms. Barnes, Mr. Casella and Ms. Myers test a patient withSpineliner technology, the focus of Ms. Barnes’ research. TheSpineliner provides objective tissue texture measurement, which is helpful in documenting post OMT changes.

The Digital Commons provides electronic preservation and access worldwide to the scholarly and creative works of thePCOM community.

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Updates

GA–PCOM STUDENT CLUBS WIN HONORSTwo student groups at GA–PCOM have been

recognized for outstanding work and service,both statewide and nationally.The GA–PCOM chapter of the Student

Osteopathic Surgical Association (SOSA) wasnamed chapter of the year by SOSA, a nationalorganization of surgery clubs. “My personaltheme for the year was ‘more,’” proclaims C. J.Rolison (DO ’12), president of the club for the2009-2010 academic year. “We had great leader-ship for the 2008-2009 academic year, and weused their accomplishments as building blocks. I wanted to hear and learn more about surgery,which translated into more meetings, clinics andevents throughout the year.” The club averagedone to two lunch meetings with speakers a month and a clinic every other month. In addi-tion, members of the group volunteered at theMaking Strides Against Breast Cancer walk indowntown Atlanta and co-hosted a blood drive with theAmerican Red Cross. SOSA is the student section of theAmerican College of Osteopathic Surgeons.The GA–PCOM Family Medicine Club received the

Family Medicine Interest Group award for 2010 from theGeorgia Academy of Family Physicians. This is the secondtime in five years the club has received this award. “Thesuccess and award are attributable to the team effort that I was fortunate enough to be a part of,” says Kevin Ward(DO ’12), president for the 2009-2010 academic year.

“Even more, the previous president, Amanda Fischer (DO ’11), put the club in a place to succeed from thebeginning. Our goal was to become more involved with thesurrounding community and promote the field of osteo-pathic medicine, which I believe we did.” The club partici-pated in many community activities including volunteeringtwice a week at a local health clinic; supporting MedShare,an organization that prepares medical supplies for shipmentto developing countries; and providing medical assistance atthe Special Olympics.

NEW DEAN AND CHIEFACADEMIC OFFICER NAMED AT GA–PCOMH. William Craver, III, DO ’87, has been

appointed dean and chief academic officer, osteopathic medical program, Georgia Campus.Since August 2010, Dr. Craver has been serving as interim dean. “As a graduate of PCOM, this is truly an

honor,” states Dr. Craver, who also completedhis residency, taught surgery and was the aca-demic coordinator of the surgery residency pro-gram at the College. Dr. Craver notes that he’s

coming into this position during a time ofstrength for the College. “In the short timewe’ve been here, the students have made animpressive impact on this part of the country.They’ve been extremely successful in findingquality residencies in both the South East andthroughout the country, which reflects positively on this campus. We’ve been approvedby COCA to expand our class size. We’ve alsobeen working with PCOM and hospitals in theregion to expand our GME opportunities. Thisis a very exciting time for GA–PCOM andosteopathic medicine in the region.”

Students practice their suturing skills at a clinic sponsored by the StudentOsteopathic Surgical Association.

Dr. Craver


Updates

SCHOOL OF PHARMACY PARTNERSWITH AREA CLINICPhiladelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine School of

Pharmacy and The Longstreet Clinic, P.C., have enteredinto an affiliation agreement. Students enrolled in theDoctor of Pharmacy program will receive hands-on trainingand education in the Clinic’s ambulatory care setting.Mandy Reece, PharmD, assistant professor of pharmacy

practice, GA–PCOM School of Pharmacy, will lead theprogram. Dr. Reece, who earned her doctor of pharmacydegree from Mercer University’s College of Pharmacy andHealth Sciences in Atlanta, will begin precepting students atThe Longstreet Clinic in fall 2011.

“This collaboration provides a wonderful opportunity for PCOM pharmacy students to experience firsthandambulatory care with a focus in diabetes,” Dr. Reece notes.“It is an honor for PCOM to collaborate with TheLongstreet Clinic.”Dr. Reece is the former pharmacy director and diabetes

educator for District 2 Public Health at the Hall CountyHealth Department in Gainesville, Georgia. She is a certi-fied diabetes educator and is board certified in DiabetesDisease State Management.

The Accreditation Review Commission on Education forthe Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) has awarded PCOM’s PAprogram full continued accreditation, without conditions,for seven years, the maximum for continuing accreditation.This national recognition is a distinction that attests to theoutstanding quality of PCOM’s physician assistant program.

“We are extremely pleased that the ARC-PA has recog-nized the long-term commitment of the PA StudiesDepartment to maintain full compliance with both the letter and spirit of the national standards for PA education,”notes John M. Cavenagh, PhD, PA-C, professor and chair,physician assistant studies. “This distinction is the culmina-tion of five years of high-level teamwork by all members ofthe PA Studies faculty and staff. This also represents recog-nition of the high levels of support our program receivesfrom PCOM administration.” PCOM’s General Surgery Residency program was

also granted full continued accreditation during a recentreview by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).The approval is for five years, the maximum allowableauthorization. “We are very proud of our residency pro-gram; it is among the best osteopathic surgical residencyprograms in the nation,” says Arthur Sesso, DO ’81, professor and chair, department of surgery. “We are committed to providing our residents with an outstandingeducational experience.”

MAKING WISHES COME TRUEPCOM students and faculty danced, sang, joked and

played musical instruments to increase their value at thesixth annual PCOM date auction. Sponsored by the PCOM Pediatric Club, the auction raises money for theMake-A-Wish Foundation of Philadelphia & SusquehannaValley. One of the largest charitable fundraising eventsPCOM sponsors, the date auction raised $5,000 to send a young woman with medulloblastoma to the GrammyAwards in Los Angeles. The national Make-A-WishFoundation has granted more than 185,000 wishes since it was established in 1980.

ACCREDITATION REPORT

Michael McGuinness, PhD, assistant professor, anatomy, and his daughter, Kiley, bring down the house with their guitar and violin duet.

PCOM’s General Surgery Residency program and the PA programreceived the highest level of accreditation possible.

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deVeLOpment neWs

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION GIVES $50,000 TO SCHOLARSHIPAt its January meeting, the Board of Directors of the

Alumni Association approved a gift of $50,000 to theCollege’s Alumni Association Scholarship. Beginning thisyear, the competitive fund has been open to students fromall programs who meet three criteria: top 15 percent ofclass; involvement in community activities; and financialneed. The Board recognized that the fund must grow inorder to meet the needs of an expanding College community here and in Georgia. In addition, the Board was impressed by the College Trustees’ continuedcommitment to the Trustee Supplemental Grant (TSG)program, which provides 5 percent of the gift every year in perpetuity to the scholarship recipients. For the AlumniScholarship, the TSG will provide an additional $2,500 be awarded to recipients.

SUPPORT CONTINUES EVEN IN DIFFICULT TIMES The College is fortunate to have strong supporters; the following gifts and pledges were made this year before March 1, 2011:

Anonymous $100,000 to endow a scholarship and a new primary care fund

Michael Hahalyak, DO ’81 $30,000 toThe Fund for PCOM

Howard Hassman, DO ’83 $10,000 to the Hassman Family Scholarship

Morton S. Herskowitz, DO ’43 $10,000 to memorializeFrederick Long, DO ’24

John Kearney, Trustee $39,500 to the John D. Kearney Memorial Scholarship

Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Brodsky $10,000 to support Alzheimer’s disease research

Karen and Herb Lotman $10,000 to The Fund for PCOM

Michael Saltzburg, DO ’77 $10,000 to The Fund for PCOM

Faith Scholnick Schwaibold, DO ’84, $10,000 toand Fred Schwaibold, DO ’84 The Fund for PCOM

$100,000 PLEDGEA friend of PCOM recently made a significant pledge of

$100,000 in memory of her husband. This gift will estab-lish two endowment funds of $50,000 each.The first will establish an osteopathic medical student

scholarship fund to assist students who are residents of orwho attended college in New England. This scholarshipfund will benefit from the Trustee Scholarship Challengewhereby scholarship recipients will receive a supplementalgrant equal to 5 percent of the initial fund. In this case thescholarship recipient will receive $2,500 in addition to theavailable earned income of the fund.The second endowment fund will provide discretionary

funds for the departments of Emergency Medicine andFamily Medicine. Each department chair will receive thefund’s earned income every other year. “The PCOM com-munity values this extraordinary gift for scholarship sup-port. Also, we greatly appreciate the donor’s suggestions formaintaining flexibility in administering the proceeds to sup-port the teaching, research and public service missions ofPCOM,” says Kenneth J. Veit, DO ’76, MBA, provost, senior vice president for academic affairs and dean.In making the gift, the anonymous donor said that her

husband had received small scholarship grants while he wasin medical school. This financial aid made a big differencein his ability to focus on his education and not worry aboutessential living expenses.


It has been a decade since Matthew Schure, PhD, president and chief executive officer, took the helm of theCollege. Early in his tenure, he initiated a community-based strategic planning process charged with identifyinginstitutional goals that would reaffirm the College’sMission and exploit its strengths.

While the College had employed strategic planningmodels in the past, first in 1988 and then again in 1995,the exercises were fulfilled at the goal-setting level. Dr.Schure’s approach required that strategic planning be inte-grated into operational planning, and that the process be anannual evaluation—an ongoing part of institutional life.

In 2001-2002, the PCOM community identified—forthe first time—its perception of the College’s strengths,weaknesses, opportunities and threats. From these indica-tors, key priorities for the use of resources and energieswere revealed and implemented. In 2002-2003, the pri-orities were reviewed and amended, and new goals andstrategies were created in response to external changesand challenges. “Our Strategic Plan is an evolving docu-ment,” says Dr. Schure. “Each annual evaluation is a stepin ensuring our continued vitality.

“Our Georgia Campus was born from a recommendedstrategy,” reports Dr. Schure. “Hallway discussions,Cabinet conversations, faculty dialogues all identified the

need for new sources of revenue. An assessment of growing health disparities in the southern United States,particularly Georgia, substantiated an infrastructure forsupport of osteopathic and graduate education programsthat would ensure long-term, Mission-centered success.Today, this success is manifested in a branch campus thathas thriving osteopathic medical and biomedical scienceprograms and a new School of Pharmacy.

“Similarly, our strategic planning revealed—nearly tenyears ago—the threat of the Commonwealth ofPennsylvania reducing PCOM’s non-preferred stateappropriations. As a community, we developed strategiesto reduce risk well in advance of a financial crisis, and wewere prepared in 2010, when this loss became a reality.

“In so many ways, our strategic planning has inspiredcreativity and innovation at all levels. It has signaled aninvestment of self, a personal and professional commit-ment from all members of the PCOM community. Andour assessment has encouraged greater accountability andtransparency. Our priorities as an institution haveemerged out of empirical data, not mere intuition.

“If anything is certain, it is that change is certain. Theeducational environment we function in today will notexist in this same form tomorrow. Strategic planning pre-pares us to envision a future and to act on it now.”

STRATEGICInitiative

by Jennifer Schaffer Leone

GOOD PLANS SHAPE GOOD DECISIONS

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PLANNING WITH A BUSINESSPURPOSE“When strategic planning is directly tied to financial pro-

jections and budgets, it defines business objectives, actionsand timetables,” reports Peter Doulis, CPA, vice presidentfor finance and chief financial officer. “What has resultedduring the past decade here at PCOM—stemming fromDr. Schure’s sense of strategic renewal—has been a clarity ofbusiness purpose, of values and of vision for the future. Hisaccomplishment—our accomplishment as a College—hasbeen built upon institutional input and confirmed consen-sus of priorities.”

Paul W. McGloin, CPA, chairman, PCOM Board ofTrustees, echoes the wisdom of aligning strategic objectiveswith business plans: “The PCOM Board of Trustees has hadenormous confidence in and support for the connection ofstrategic and business plans, recognizing that the Collegecould not achieve its vital initiatives without having a finan-cially strong foundation. By aligning its strategic directionwith its financial resources, and by anticipating the needs ofstudents, faculty and staff, PCOM has progressed into astronger and more efficient College. The generous supportof alumni and friends has likewise been paramount in help-ing the College achieve Mission-centered results.”

PERPETUATING A CULTURE OFINCLUSIVENESSInclusive, bottom-up strategic planning achieves positive

organizational outcomes. Process-focused goals encourageinnovation among staff and clearer linkages betweenresources and results.

“PCOM’s strategic planning invites everyone to the table,”says Rita Forde, MBA, director, human resources. “Steeringcommittees, task forces and open town meetings give thePCOM community multiple forums through which theymay contribute their ideas about moving the institution for-ward. The process promotes a positive campus culture.Everyone contributes; everyone matters.”

Robert Cuzzolino, EdD, vice president for graduate programs and planning, who oversees strategic planning atPCOM, affirms the process’ success. “Employees at all levelsare motivated to participate, achieve and learn more as theCollege grows. The annual collaboration means that, as aninstitution, we are never at a loss for substantive ideas.Some of the most dynamic ideas have come from the stafflevel. For example, a concept for technological system inte-gration came from a group of administrative assistants.Their ideas may result in higher productivity at lower costsand greater efficiencies.”

In essence, the plan demystifies the College. Goals and strategies are made available for all to review—and toconsult as a living document. “I do not know of any otherinstitution that has such standards of accountability andtransparency,” remarks Dr. Cuzzolino.

A BOLD VISION In his Inaugural address, delivered on January 25, 2002,

Dr. Schure shared his bold vision for new undertakings in ful-fillment of the College’s teaching, research and service missions:

“During the last year, the PCOM community hascome together to create the Strategic Plan for itsfuture. Our community has articulated the following goals:

• Enhance PCOM’s image through marketing and recruitment.

• Enhance academic quality, faculty development and scholarly activity.

• Expand the depth of clinical and basic science faculty.• Create multiple new revenue streams.• Change the organizational structure to maximize effectiveness.

• Expand facilities and enhance infrastructure.• Enhance student services.• Increase community service and outreach.

Strategies have been defined to achieve each of thesegoals and, where needed, dollars, personnel, technologyand space are being assigned to assure their implemen-tation. PCOM now has the foundation of a process tocatalyze continuous planning and improvement, andthere is no limit to what we can achieve for ourselvesand for those we serve. . . . With the strong foundation forged by our history,

and an unlimited future fueled by our energy andresolve, this institution will make an ever greater difference in the lives of those it touches.”

“The Strategic Plan was Dr. Schure’s earliest vision for PCOM, and it is a tribute to the dedication and collaborative work of the broader College community,”says Dr. Cuzzolino. “Dr. Schure has led its ongoing planning process with tenacity.”


The Robert Berger, DO Clinical Learning and AssessmentCenter opened and was dedicated in 2004. Its robotic simula-tion suite was named in memory of the late wife of the latePCOM Board of Trustees member Harry Ginsburg, DO ’42.

Today’s center, which has expanded to include an inclusivesimulation suite, houses four additional high-fidelity humanpatient simulators: NOELLE, a birthing simulator; HAL, arobotic neonate; a METIman nursing simulator; and aMETIman prehospital simulator. Other simulators includeTRAUMAman, a torso simulator for the practice of suturingskills; a METI Pelvic ExamSIM, a model that is touch sensi-tive; an Accutouch endoscopic simulator, a virtual simulatorfor the practice of GI procedures; a laparoscopic simulator, avirtual simulator that increases hand-eye coordination; anAngio-Mentor, a virtual simulator for the practice of cardiacintervention with fluoroscopy; a Femoral Line Man, a modelthat provides central venous access training; Naso Gastricmodels, head and torso models for the practice of NG tubeplacement; and various trainers that teach IV placement,knot-tying, catheter placement, intubation, etc.

A 2010 gift from Michael C. Saltzburg, DO ’77, prompt-ed the College’s acquisition of the Simbionix InsightArthroVR System Simulator, an arthroscopic surgical simulator toprovide training on knees and shoulders. This simulator wasthe first of its kind in use in the mid-Atlantic region, andonly the fifth system to be acquired in the United States.

“There is such relevance for competency-based assessmentas a method to train our students: osteopathic medical, physi-cian assistant and psychology students. Simulation—fromhigh-fidelity manikins to standardized patients to replicatedgeriatric home health experiences—offers an outstanding toolfor acquiring diagnostic skills and practicing medical proce-dures,” states Penny Patton, program administrator, RobertBerger, DO Clinical Learning and Assessment Center.

FISCAL MANAGEMENT: SUPPRESSING STUDENT DEBT Through its Strategic Plan, PCOM has taken bold action

to suppress rates of tuition increase and to expand need-based scholarship, grant programs and lender aid in order to reduce student indebtedness. For the past eight years,osteopathic medical students have experienced a reductionin the percentage of tuition increases—from a high thatapproached 10 percent to a consistent level close to 3 per-cent. The Strategic Plan will likewise provide intergenera-tional equity to future PCOM students.

“Of the many challenges we face today, none is moreimportant than tuition increase suppression and relief,” saysDr. Schure. “It is paramount that our students retain thefreedom to fulfill their professional aspirations rather thanmake career choices based on their debt levels.”

To this end, many PCOM students remain encouraged intheir pursuit of graduate training opportunities in primarycare, disciplines that are of greatest need in health care.“Many of our students wish to pursue these vital specialtiesthat rest at the heart of the osteopathic identity,” notesKenneth J. Veit, DO ’76, MBA, provost, senior vice presi-dent for academic affairs and dean. “By suppressing the rateof tuition increase while augmenting need-based financialaid, the College is able to enhance access to all areas of medical education for our students.”

COMPETENCY-BASED ASSESSMENT:ENSURING CLINICAL APTITUDEIn 1993, a clinical learning program began at PCOM as

a small pilot initiative. Its growth has been propelled bythe drive toward competency-based assessment in medicaleducation as well as National Board of OsteopathicMedicine licensing provisions; it has been sustained bystrategic planning.

PCOM was among the first osteopathic medical schoolsto acquire a full-body, programmable human patient simula-tor, METI HPS, in 2003. The simulator was purchased witha federal Health Resources and Services Administration(HRSA) grant of nearly $197,000; since 2003, $949,000 inHRSA grants has been earmarked for simulation technologyadditions and upgrades at both campuses.

ENDURINGCommitmentsThe following have been among majorstrategic priorities and initiatives for thepast ten years:

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EXPANSION AND PARTNERSHIP:REAFFIRMING THE PCOM MISSIONStrategic planning has underscored—time and time

again—the interdisciplinary nature of PCOM’s core facultyand affiliated clinical instructors. This association hasafforded significant opportunities for development in cen-tral disciplines.

Master’s degree programs in organizational developmentand leadership and forensic medicine were added in 2001and 2002, respectively. In 2002, the Psychology Depart-ment expanded to include school psychology programs(doctor of psychology in school psychology, educationalspecialist in school psychology, and master of science inschool psychology). The College’s osteopathic traditionproffers a complementary framework for the study of thesesubjects, and medical school faculty and students collabo-rate with many of these behavioral scientists and leaders onresearch and in clinical settings.

Dual-track degree programs have been expanded withoptions for students from both the PCOM graduate pro-grams and from partnering institutions. These programsinclude the DO/master of science in forensic medicine,the DO/master of science in biomedical sciences, theDO/master of science in organizational development andleadership, the DO/master of arts in healthcare ethics, andthe DO/doctor of philosophy in health policy. A DO/doc-tor of philosophy path in cellular and molecular biologyresearch will soon be launched in partnership withUniversity of the Sciences in Philadelphia. And strategicpartnerships broaden training opportunities and facilitatequality choices while avoiding redundant investments foreducational delivery. Such opportunities include:

• a “home-base” training site at the Russell ByersCharter School, Philadelphia, for school psychologystudents;

• a clinical teaching fellowship partnership withPhiladelphia University for doctoral clinical psychology students;

• undergraduate/graduate degree pathway collabora-tion agreements with Brenau University, Gainesville,Georgia, and Thomas University, Thomasville,Georgia, for physician assistant studies students; and

• exclusive hospital affiliations such as GeisingerHealth System for medical students and a consor-tium of affiliated hospitals, PCOM MedNet, formedical interns and residents.

Georgia Campus – Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Perhaps the greatest expansion, rooted in the College’sstrategic goals, has been the establishment in 2005 of abranch campus in Suwanee, Georgia. Offering professionaldoctoral degree programs in osteopathic medicine and pharmacy, and master’s degree programs in biomedical sciences and organizational development and leadership, thecampus has focused on addressing the shortage of profes-sionals who provide healthcare and public health/leadershipservices in Georgia and the surrounding southern states.

To date, 153 DO students and 43 biomedical sciencesstudents have graduated from GA–PCOM. Over 75 percentof students accepted into DO and other postgraduate training programs are from the state of Georgia.

The inaugural class of PCOM School of Pharmacy, composed of 79 students, began their studies in August2010. In June 2010, the Accreditation Council forPharmacy Education granted PCOM School of Pharmacypre-candidate accreditation; the School will be eligible toseek full accreditation status in 2014.

12

FUNDRAISING: IMPACTING OUTCOMES Strategic planning provides the vision, direction and goals for the College, but

fundraising priorities ultimately impact outcomes.

As early as 2002, strategic planning assessments identified the need to grow TheFund for PCOM from a baseline of $300,000 to a reliable $1 million unrestrictedannual fund program, its current effort. The fund supports direct operational costsfor enhanced programming. Moneys are disbursed on a current-use basis to meetsome of the College’s most vital initiatives, which include increased oversight andteaching for clinical and graduate medical education, continued research agendas during gaps in external funding, enhanced student affairs services and acquired educational technologies.

In addition, Florence D. Zeller, MPA, CFRE, vice president for alumni relationsand development, reports that the College is poised to take the next steps to enhanceits campuses, improve its research facilities and grow scholarship and GraduateMedical Education support. “Recent strategic planning has directed early research into a proposed substantial capital campaign. This would be PCOM’s first capitalcampaign since its Mission Campaign carried out during the 1990s.

“In the meantime, we must continue building our base of support,” she says.

2010-2011 GOALS ANDSTRATEGIES

Enhance academic quality, schol-arly activity and clinical service.

Control tuition costs and student indebtedness through the creation of new revenuestreams, operating efficiencies,risk-management and cost-containment strategies.

Support and develop the facultyand staff.

Enhance student services.

Expand facilities, enhance infra-structure and learning resources;ensure a safe environment.

Continue efforts to enhancePCOM’s image, marketing and recruitment.

Build strategic partnerships thatenhance PCOM.

Promote a positive campus cul-ture to achieve a plan throughappropriate organizational struc-ture, policies, and performancemanagement approaches toadvancement for employees.

Increase community service and outreach.

INSTITUTIONALRESEARCH: STRENGTHENINGTHE COLLEGE’SPOSITION Early on, strategic planning

indicated the need for augmen-tation of both basic science andclinical research efforts. TheCollege has worked to increasefaculty research and publicationwith incentives for scholarlyactivity; internal research seedgrants have been instituted, andwhen necessary, internal fundsfrom The Fund for PCOM have been applied.

In 2007, the Center for Chronic Disorders of Aging (CCDA), an interdisciplinaryresearch center that promotes a better understanding of the nature of chronic diseaseprocesses, received a $2 million endowment from the Osteopathic HeritageFoundations, and the College provided a 25 percent match of $500,000. Throughthis center, significant progress has been made on PCOM-based research includingwork on Alzheimer’s disease, inflammation in diseases such as periodontitis, and pre-vention of tissue damage caused by oxygen deprivation.

Board of Trustees Member Lita Indzel Cohen, Esq., was instrumental in the cre-ation of a new endowment in 2008, the Food Allergy Research Initiative (FARI),based at PCOM. FARI research includes a wide range of food allergies and hypersen-sitivities, with a particular focus on peanut allergies.

Research collaborations have ensued with sister osteopathic medical schools andother medical and research institutions including the University of Medicine andDentistry of New Jersey – School of Osteopathic Medicine, Virginia College ofOsteopathic Medicine, Emory University, Georgia Health Sciences University, PennState University – Hershey Medical Center, the Illinois Institute of Technology,Thomas Jefferson University, Veterans Administration Medical Center (sites inPhiladelphia, Denver, St. Louis and Washington, D.C.), the University of Georgiaand the University of Kuopio, Finland.

P h i l a D e l P h i a C o l l e g e o f o s t e o P a t h i C M e D i C i n e

D i g e s t 2 0 11 13

FACULTY DEVELOPMENTFaculty recruitment practices have extended due in large part to strategic plan-

ning. The College has recruited and hired faculty members with expertise in areasof high national and professional priority including school psychology and phar-macy. Many are capable of independent research and external grant funding. Inaddition, a monthly faculty development/scholarly activity series has been imple-mented as has an annual interdisciplinary, cross-campus faculty retreat.

TECHNOLOGY UPGRADESStrategic initiatives have resulted in technological upgrades to network and infra-

structure capabilities, including the establishment of an Emergency NotificationSystem, the creation of local and disaster recovery file storage systems and databaseencryption. Virtual server technology has been adopted, and wireless printing isavailable. More than 20 educational spaces have been transformed into smart class-rooms; ten additionally have videoconferencing resources. Tegrity, a lecture captureplatform, and Wimba, a learning software application, are in operation.

MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONSStrategy is synonymous with integration. Marketing, advertising,

publications and public/media relations initiatives have been consistentlypositioned to support and advance enrollment management practices,Mission-centered outcomes, strategic planning and brand imaging. As technologies have evolved, targetable and trackable digital and social mediaplatforms—including Facebook, YouTube and various blogs—have beenemployed, providing increasing visibility to and investment in messaging.

STUDENT SERVICESStrategic planning identified the need for comprehensive student services for

all matriculated students. A primary focus has been placed on student wellness,personal growth and professional development. Mentored learning communities,individual career advising, academic tutoring and service learning opportunitiesreinforce the College’s instructional Mission.

COMMUNITY SERVICE AND OUTREACHStudents from DO and graduate programs participate in mission trips and elec-

tive rotations in underserved regions. Others serve disadvantaged domestic commu-nities, providing health- and educational-related services through the Bridging theGaps community health internship program; through the College’s HealthcareCenters; and through public outreach centers and shelters, clinics, psychiatric facili-ties, schools and prisons. Many of their efforts are empowered by the Strategic Plan,which supports the provision of basic medical needs for marginalized patients.


More than 35 years ago, long beforethe current round of healthcare debates,Dr. Maurer was fighting for changes tothe healthcare system. A staunch advo-cate for tort reform, he was a drivingforce in developing and passing medicalmalpractice and other liability reform leg-islation in New Jersey, serving on formerGovernor Tom Kean’s task force andother health advisory committees. Healso twice ran for the state legislature.

At the same time, he was advocatingfor osteopathic medicine, taking everyopportunity to advance the profession aspresident of the New Jersey Associationof Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons(NJAOPS). During his tenure, he playeda major role in the establishment of theUniversity of Medicine and Dentistry ofNew Jersey – School of OsteopathicMedicine (UMDNJ–SOM) as well as inthe formation of one of the first physi-cian-run medical malpractice companiesin the country.

Dr. Maurer was the first osteopathicphysician asked to serve on the malprac-tice company’s board of directors, a posthe held for 20 years. He also chaired thecompany’s legislative oversight commit-tee, leading the drive for medical mal-practice reform in the state of New Jersey.

and friends call him, became an integraland beloved part of the local community.

He was also involved in the develop-ment of one of the largest hospitals inNew Jersey—the JFK Medical Center inEdison, which, when it opened in 1967,did not plan to allow osteopathic physi-cians on the medical staff. In response,Dr. Maurer rallied the support of patientsin a major drive to gain acceptance forthe osteopathic profession.

Throughout his career, Dr. Maurer has taken on many leadership roles inprofessional organizations. In addition toserving as NJAOPS president, he waschairman of the organization’s strategicplanning committee. He has served asexecutive director of the AmericanOsteopathic College of Rheumatologysince 1992, and as a member of the NewJersey Osteopathic Education Foundationboard of directors for more than 30 years.

Dr. Maurer was honored by NJAOPSfor his many contributions to the profes-sion as Physician of the Year in 1990, andas a recipient of the Distinguished ServiceAward in 1998. The same year, he alsoreceived a special commendation from theNew Jersey State Assembly for his tortreform and other legislative efforts.

In addition to health reform advocacy,Dr. Maurer has always taken great pridein teaching students, interns and residents the principles of osteopathicmedicine. A founding member ofUMDNJ–SOM, he has served on thefaculty for 32 years. “I have always triedto emphasize that taking a personalapproach with patients and using com-mon sense as well as your five senses todiagnose problems are as important as,if not more important than, tests andtechnology,” he says.

It was this personal approach that firstattracted Dr. Maurer to osteopathic medicine. After graduating from theUniversity of Pennsylvania in 1953, andserving a five-year stint as an officer inthe U.S. Navy during the Korean War, he decided to pursue his interest. He hadlearned about the osteopathic philosophyfrom a few friends who were DOs. “I was interested in becoming an old-fashioned family doc,” he recalls. “Thatwas my motivation, that was my goal andthat’s what I became. It seemed to methat the osteopathic philosophy was idealfor family medicine.”

Practicing out of his first home inIselin, New Jersey, Dr. Maurer always hadhis door open. Dr. Bob, as his patients

by Nancy West

FFounDeRS’ DaY

RobeRt S. MauReR, Do ’622011 RECIPIENT OF THE O.J. SNYDER MEMORIAL MEDAL


Dr. Maurer also takes great pride in his continuing involvement with PCOM.When he joined the Alumni Associationof PCOM Board of Directors in 1970,he was the youngest member ever elected. With more than 41 years of service, he is now the third longest serving member of the alumni board. Dr. Maurer is also completing his sixthyear as alumni representative to thePCOM Board of Trustees.

As president of the Class of 1962 for50 years, Dr. Maurer takes particularpride in the group’s ongoing support ofPCOM. “I’m very proud that my small

“We met early in my sophomore yearthrough her cousin and my classmate,Alan Miller, DO ’62. By the followingsummer, we were married. The first ofour three children, Ellen, was born at48th and Spruce Streets. Our two sons,David and Andy, were also delivered inosteopathic hospitals by osteopathicphysicians,” he recalls.

Dr. Maurer remains active with his pro-fession, PCOM and his family. He cur-rently serves on the ethics board of hishometown as well as various state andnational osteopathic organizations. Inaddition, he still finds time to ski, playtennis, visit with his six grandchildren andtravel with his companion, Loretta Catino.

Reflecting on PCOM, he says, “It’sbeen a joy to watch the College developfrom a small hospital with three class-rooms and 80 students at 48th andSpruce to the beautiful campus on CityAvenue with distinguished faculty, stu-dents and many accomplishments.

“We must never lose sight of theimportance of our osteopathic princi-ples,” he emphasizes. “We must continueto strive to teach our students compas-sion, caring and understanding, not onlyfor the patients and their diseases, butalso for the many external factors thataffect them such as job and family. Wemust continue to emphasize the heartand soul of our profession—having con-cern for the patient as an individual, notjust the diagnosis of a disease.”

class has consistently had the highest per-centage of annual fund donors and thehighest total amount donated for anyclass in the history of PCOM, as well asthe highest number of attendees atreunion-year meetings. We had over 75percent of our class attend our 25threunion in the middle of a snowstorm,”he relates. “We are all very proud of thefact that we went to PCOM. TheCollege gave us the opportunity to dowhat we’ve done with our lives, and weneed to stay involved.”

And he fondly credits the College withintroducing him to his late wife, Beverly.

D i g e s t 2 0 11 17

technology priorities: conversion of student e-mail to Google Mail, imple-mentation of the Tegrity lecture capturesystem, and the ability for students toprint wirelessly throughout campus.

“Students appreciate these very sig-nificant technology upgrades,” says Mr. Clark. “Medical students oftenneed to find information quickly, andthe lecture capture system and upgradeto Google Mail strongly support thatneed.”

As SGA Parliamentarian, Mr. Clarkchaired the Political Action Committee,which seeks to involve students in politi-cal advocacy and provide a foundationfor their future lobbying efforts. During

the 2008 national election, the committee presented severalissue-based, non-partisan lectures to the student body thatserved as voter registration drives and encouraged participationin the political system. Through these highly successful events,almost 100 students registered to vote.

In spring 2009, he coordinated a trip for PCOM students to Washington, D.C., for the American OsteopathicAssociation’s annual DO Day on the Hill. “The most impor-tant issue facing the osteopathic profession is the challenge ofcontinuing to deliver high-quality care to patients in a multi-factorial, ever-changing healthcare field,” he states. “Studentsand physicians can meet this challenge by uniting with colleagues and like-minded groups to continually advocatefor favorable legislation at all levels of government, maintain-ing a focus on core osteopathic principles and practices, andprotecting the integrity of the profession.”

Currently pursuing an internal medicine residency, Mr.Clark sees his future goals as continuing to advocate forimproved healthcare legislation, teaching medical studentsand residents on clinical rotations and, most importantly,providing direct patient care. “I will encourage those Iteach to use osteopathic manipulative medicine, a modalityunique to our profession that provides one of the mostcost-efficient methods for the diagnosis and treatment ofmany disease states,” he says. “In the current healthcareenvironment, our osteopathic practices have never beenmore valuable.”

Mr. Clark has always enjoyed the challenge of solving problems. That is what attracted this former information tech-nology specialist to a career in medicine. “I enjoy the challenge of starting with anunclear clinical picture, and then carefullygathering and assembling the pieces of thepatient’s puzzle in the form of history andphysical, labs and studies, to determine thetrue diagnosis,” he says. “Although informa-tion technology also involved problem solv-ing, I found my work unfulfilling. Caringfor patients is my true passion.”

Mr. Clark made the transition to medicine as a clinical assistant and teleme-try monitor technician at BrandywineHospital in Coatesville, Pennsylvania,where he met Michael Kalata, DO ’98, who became hismentor and role model. “I admired the way he practicedmedicine, taking the time to sit down and patiently explainthings to patients, to nursing staff and to me,” Mr. Clarknotes. Following in Dr. Kalata’s footsteps, Mr. Clark decidedthat osteopathic medicine was the path he wanted to take.

As a PCOM student, Mr. Clark has applied his problem-solving skills not only to his studies, but also to his involve-ment in the Student Government Association (SGA). Aspart of the SGA executive board during his second year, heparticipated in a major effort to reorganize student govern-ment and rewrite its constitution to give equal representa-tion to students in all of PCOM’s academic programs.

Elected as a senator to the DO Council in August 2010,Mr. Clark oversees the Technology and Political Action com-mittees and serves as a member of the Rotations Committee.As co-chair of the Technology Committee, he has leveragedhis information technology experience to lead a collaborativeeffort with the College’s Management Information Systems(MIS) department to fulfill the top three student-selected

by Nancy West

Marking the observance of Founders’ Day, the PCOM community—past and present—gathers to honor those who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, loyalty and service to the College and the osteopathic profession.

john M. claRk (Do ’11)2011 RECIPIENT OF THE MASON W. PRESSLY MEMORIAL MEDAL


D i g e s t 2 0 11 19

A Cryby Nancy Westfor help

Children today are growing up in a society where academic performance and social acceptance are paramount.Even as early as pre-school and certainly in elementaryschool, children are expected to keep up with their peers inthe classroom and on the playground. They regularly com-pare themselves in terms of strengths and weaknesses. Theyask each other what grade they received on the last spellingor math quiz. They know who was invited to a classmate’sbirthday party. They know which of their classmates are“gifted” and which go to Learning Support for extra help in reading, math and other subjects. And they can be ruthlessly critical of the children who need more help.

In fact, children with learning disabilities are most at riskfor being bullied or victimized and for developing a poorsense of self-worth that pervades all aspects of their lives,according to a recent study by Renee Payton Cahill (PsyD ’11), “A Comprehensive Investigation of VariablesRelated to Children’s Self-Perceptions” (2010).

During the two-year longitudinal study completed forher doctoral thesis, Ms. Cahill explored the extent to whichperceived peer victimization relates to children’s self-percep-tions and academic placement. She assessed 461 elementaryschool students beginning when they were in third andfourth grades and continuing into their fourth and fifthgrade year. The students spanned three academic groups:

Gifted Support, Learning Support and Regular Education.Across all groups, Ms. Cahill assessed four variables consid-ered important in a child’s development of self-worth: aca-demic achievement, cognitive ability, academic placementand perceived victimization by peers.

Not surprisingly, the children in Learning Support considered themselves less competent than those inRegular Education in the academic domains. However,they also viewed themselves as less competent in non-academic domains such as social acceptance, physicalappearance and behavioral conduct, and this negative self-perception was sustained over the two-year study period as the students moved on to the next grade. These children also perceived themselves to be more frequently victimized by their peers than students in either Regular Education or in Gifted Support.

“Students with learning disabilities need placement inLearning Support in order to succeed academically, butthen they are labeled by their peers and often become vic-tims of bullying,” observes Ms. Cahill. “They may internal-ize this negative feedback and, as a result, their negativeself-perceptions increase. They may underestimate their academic potential and suffer from poor motivation, thereby impeding their academic success.

Three third-grade elementary school students are playing on the swings during recess. The first student, Amy, turnsto the girl next to her, Erin, and says, “I got 100 on the spelling quiz. What did you get?”

“I got 100, too,” Erin answers proudly.

“Hey, Katie, what did you get on the spelling quiz?” Amy asks the third student.

Katie stops swinging and looks down at the ground. “I don’t remember,” she mumbles. “I got a few wrong.”

“Well, you always spell everything backwards,” says Amy.

“Yeah, you always spell everything backwards,” echoes Erin. “You’re weird.”

“Yeah, you’re weird,” says Amy. She and Erin start giggling as other girls gather around laughing and staring at Katie.

Katie, who has dyslexia, runs to seek refuge with a teacher’s aide.


“Understanding how the variables addressed in this studyrelate to children’s perceptions of self and evaluation ofworth provides school personnel with pertinent informationto better identify children at increased risk for lower self-perceptions,” notes Ms. Cahill. “School personnel shouldconsider children’s self-perceptions when developing aca-demic programming and implementing interventions.”

HOW SHOULD SCHOOLS RESPOND?Nearly three million children in public schools nation-

wide are classified as having specific learning disabilities andreceive special education support, according to the 26thAnnual Report to Congress, U.S. Department ofEducation, 2006. Schools need to do a better job ofresponding to their needs, says Ms. Cahill.

“To really improve our education approach to kids, weneed to apply the osteopathic philosophy of looking at thewhole person,” says Virginia Salzer, PhD, clinical associateprofessor, school psychology. “We need to consider thewhole child, not just the academic issues, but how he isfeeling about himself in general. Does he feel stupid? Doeshe feel like the ugly kid, the clumsy kid, the kid who hasno friends? We can design the best academic interventionsin the world, but if we roll them out to a child who feelsvery badly about himself, they will almost certainly be lesseffective. His ability to participate will be impaired by hisnegative self-perception. We must address all of the child’sissues.”

It’s important to talk with children very directly abouttheir issues, using “person first” language, according toDr. Salzer, who served as an advisor for Ms. Cahill’sstudy. “For example, say, ‘You’re a kid who has dyslexia’rather than ‘You’re a dyslexic kid.’ Explain to the child,‘You have difficulty with reading. It’s called dyslexia. Itdoesn’t make you stupid. It doesn’t make you funny look-ing. It doesn’t make you a bad friend. It doesn’t definewho you are. It’s just one piece of your life and we’regoing to help you with it.’

EARLY INTERVENTION IS VITALIt is critical for schools to identify learning disabilities in a

child as early as possible and begin intervention right away,according to Dr. Salzer. Children generally develop self-per-ception by age eight. If a child with learning disabilities hasa negative self-perception, the longer it continues, the moreit will become solidified and harder to change.

“Renee’s study showed that self-perceptions lingered inthe second year, so these children have pretty set belief pat-terns at a young age,” Dr. Salzer says. “If we address theirlearning issues and at the same time, address the psycholog-ical hits they may take as a result, we may put them on abetter trajectory in the education process. This lines upwith the DO philosophy of focusing on prevention andearly intervention.”

PARTNERING WITH PARENTS ANDPHYSICIANS In partnership with the school, parents and primary care

physicians have key roles to play in addressing the issuesfaced by children with learning disabilities, particularly bul-lying and victimization. Children who are being bulliedoften present with symptoms such as anxiety, abdominalpain, bedwetting and/or depression.

“As osteopathic physicians, we take care of the wholechild,” says Izola David, DO ’85, assistant professor, pedi-atrics, who practices and teaches at the PCOM HealthcareCenter – Lancaster Avenue Division. “When childrencome to us, we don’t just take their vital signs and com-plete a physical exam. We ask them lots of questions thatprovide us with a sense of their general well-being, such as‘What’s your favorite subject at school? Do you have lotsof friends? Who do you play with at recess? What do youdo at recess? What makes you happy? What are you afraidof?’ Their answers give us a pretty good idea of what’sgoing on, how they feel about themselves and whetherbullying is a factor.”

Although pediatricians and family physicians are impor-tant, parents are the first line of defense against bullying,according to Dr. David. “Our job as pediatricians is toencourage parents to talk to their children on a daily basis,”she says. “I begin talking to parents about recognizing thesigns of bullying when the child is two or three years old.

“Pediatricians must frame bullying as a health concernthat requires attention and commitment rather than just asocial concern that will work itself out. It will not workitself out,” she emphasizes. “It must be addressed by par-ents, school and healthcare professionals. As osteopathicphysicians, we need to become involved.”

Dr. David begins by empowering parents whose childrenare being bullied to write letters to school administratorsexpressing concern and asking for resolution. If the prob-lem persists despite the parents’ efforts, she writes a letterto the school detailing the child’s physical complaints andasking the school to take action to stop the victimization.“I usually get a response,” she says.

D i g e s t 2 0 11 21

Learning to identify children who are potentially beingbullied should begin in medical school, according to Dr. David. “Medical students on rotation at the PCOMHealthcare Centers are taught to look for signs of bullying,”she says. “It is considered a core piece of their training,every bit as important as learning how to identify childrenwho have diabetes or other health problems,” she says.

WITHOUT INTERVENTIONDr. David worries about the kids who suffer from bully-

ing and don’t get help. Studies indicate that the resultinglow self-esteem can continue into adulthood, and it is likelythat they will suffer serious adverse reactions later in life.

When no intervention occurs for children with learningdisabilities, statistics show that they are far more at risk fordropping out of high school and engaging in negative behavior such as crime, unemployment and unplanned pregnancy. “Why would you want to stay in school if youthink you’re a bad student and no one intervenes to helpyou?” asks Dr. Salzer.

Dr. David points to the increasing number of suicidesamong adolescents who have been bullied. “One child whocommits suicide or one child who is harmed by bullying isone child too many,” she states.

BULLY PREVENTION PROGRAMSA growing number of schools nationwide are imple-

menting bully prevention programs and other initiativesthat educate and teach tolerance for differences amongstudents, whether academic, physical or social. Students,teachers and parents learn to recognize bullying as well asstrategies for prevention and intervention.

Some schools also offer character education programswhere children are taught positive character traits such askindness, compassion and respect for others. Others edu-cate students about what it actually feels like to have alearning disability such as dyslexia.

Ms. Cahill emphasizes that school administrators canmake a significant positive impact by ensuring an adequatenumber of guidance counselors at the elementary schoollevel. Although the American School CounselorsAssociation recommends a 250-to-1 ratio of students toschool counselors, the national average is actually 457,according to the U.S. Department of Education, NationalInstitute for Educational Statistics (2008-2009 school year).

FOCUSING ON STRENGTHS“Counselors and learning support teachers need to work

together to help students with learning disabilities focus ontheir strengths so the disabilities don’t define who they are,”says Dr. Salzer. “It is essential to teach these students strate-gies for overcoming the academic and social challenges theyface in school.”

Children who are involved in extracurricular activities areless likely to be bullied, according to Dr. David. Sheencourages parents to get their children involved in activi-ties such as scout troops, sports, faith-based youth groups orcommunity youth organizations. She also urges parents to

get involved at school by volunteering. “Children with learningdisabilities can easily become isolated, which lowers self-esteem,”she says. “It’s essential for parents and educators to work together to keep them in the mainstream as much as possible.”

Ms. Cahill concludes, “By striving to improve children’s self-perceptions, schools will increase children’s academic perform-ance and better enable them to achieve academic success.”

BULLYING STATISTICSAccording to a number of national surveys*, an increas-

ing number of school-age children and adolescents havereported being victims of the following types of bullying:

• Physical bullying – 20%

• Verbal bullying – 54%

• Social bullying – 51%

• Cyber bullying – 20%

In the case of elementary school-age children, in particular, 23 percent reported being bullied one to threetimes during the previous month.

*Sources:2009 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey Overview (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)National Crime Prevention Council, Cyberbullying Research Center

To read more about the study conducted by ReneePayton Cahill (PsyD ’11), visit http://digitalcom-mons.pcom.edu/psychology_dissertations/20/


CLass nOtes

CLASS OF 1963Harvey M. Spector, DO, HuntingdonValley, PA, was named lead physician ofEinstein Center One Family Medicine inNortheast Philadelphia.

CLASS OF 1966Berel B. Arrow, DO, Lancaster, PA, com-pleted his second novel, The 36, a mysterybased on the legend of 36 Just Men. It waspublished in January 2011 by Xlibris. Hereports that his first novel, God’s Water, soldmore than 250 copies; he was pleased thathis writing is of interest to readers.

CLASS OF 1968Joseph Kessler, DO, New York, NY, formerdirector of the Critical Care Complex atBotsford General Hospital in FarmingtonHills, Michigan, is now an attending physi-cian and director of the Senior Health HouseCalls program in the geriatric division of theDepartment of Medicine at Beth IsraelMedical Center in New York.

Norman A. Leopold, DO, Wallingford, PA,was recognized by Main Line Today(December 2010) as one of the “Top Doctorsin Neurology” in Chester, Delaware andMontgomery counties.

CLASS OF 1972John C. Carlson, DO, West Chester, PA, was recognized by Delaware Today (October 2010) as one of the “Top Doctorsin Gynecology.”

CLASS OF 1973Joseph A. LaCavera, III, DO, Bridgeton,NJ, was the recipient of the CommunityService Award presented by the Salem County Branch of the NAACP.

W. William Shay, DO, Barto, PA, had his article, “Doctor Discusses How StressAffects Our Health,” published in Mercury(October 2010).

CLASS OF 1974Anthony V. Benedetto, DO, Drexel Hill, PA, participated in “Doctors on Call,” apatient-outreach television program broadcastby CBS-3 Philadelphia in September. Dr.Benedetto is a physician at DermatologicSurgiCenter with offices in Philadelphia andDrexel Hill.

BeRnaRd masteR, dO ’66His Avocation Is for the Birds Dr. Master has traveled the world looking for and at birds. But one of his favorite

birding spots is his own backyard in Worthington, Ohio. With its two acres of undis-turbed woods and creek located on a prime migration flyway, Dr. Master’s backyard is afive-acre wildlife sanctuary that has been the site of more rare bird sightings than anyother location in Ohio.

Dr. Master began birding with his father when he was five years old. “I had a list of ninebirds,” he recalls of his first venture into the sport. To date he has seen 7,200 species of birdsand has almost reached his goal of seeing a representative from every family of bird in theworld; he has seen 219 of the 221 that exist. He has even heard the call of the ivory-billedwoodpecker—a bird thought by many to be extinct—while on a search team in Arkansas in1995. “Hearing is 90 percent of birding,” explains Dr. Master.

While Dr. Master’s travels to more than 88 countries have yielded an amazing “life list”of birds, the fruits of his adventures have been more than ornithological. “I’ve met somewonderful people and I’ve had incredible adventures,” he says. As a member of the RareBird Club, which has 300 members worldwide, 20 of whom are Americans, he’s traveledthe world under the aegis of governments. “I’ve attended state dinners, and Queen Noorof Jordan gave us use of her yacht,” he says as he recalls some highlights of his travels.

Of all the places where he’s traveled, Dr. Master points to Australia as his favorite.He’s been there four times. “It is vast and diverse,” he explains. “The people are veryfriendly and they speak English, which is a big help. In addition to the hundreds of birdsthat are unique to the country, there are lots of other things to see. I can peel off fromthe group and go to museums. I have many interests in addition to birds.”

As much as he enjoys his travels, Dr. Master does have his limits. “I tend to disconnectafter three weeks. I miss my family and civilization.” That was the case after a recent five-week tour in Cameroon. “It was too hot; it was almost unbearable,” he confesses. “Ialmost quit ten times. But I did see a new family of birds, which was my goal.”

Of all the birds Dr. Master has added to his life list, perhaps the one he’s proudest ofis the Vireo masteri, a bird named after him in thanks for his conservation efforts inColombia, South America. Dr. Master, who was a governor of BirdLife International inCambridge, England, made a six-figure donation to save the bird’s habitat, which wasunder threat from farming expansion.

While he no longer practices medicine, Dr. Master does use many of the skills he used as a physician. “A birding friend of my mine pointed out that there are a lot of doctors who bird. There’s a proclivity for physicians to be close to nature; many medicinesare derived from plants. There’s also a similarity in the way we see things. Doctors look at a constellation of seemingly unrelated symptoms to make a diagnosis. Birders look at the shape of a bill, a crest, a yellow belly or a red tail and make an identification. It’s about observation.”

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E-MAIL YOUR NEWS AND PHOTOS TO MADELINE LAW: [email protected]

CLASS OF 1975Richard T. Honderick, DO, Springfield,MO, was the recipient of the President’sAward presented by the Evangel UniversityAlumni Association. Dr. Honderick is a family practice physician at St. John’s Clinicand mentors Evangel pre-med students.

CLASS OF 1976Edward H. Ridings, III, DO, Lewistown, PA, has been reappointed clinical associate professor, department of surgery, division ofgeneral surgery, Philadelphia College ofOsteopathic Medicine.

CLASS OF 1977Arthur S. Maslow, DO, Danville, PA, servesas vice chairman of the department of obstetrics and gynecology and as an associatephysician in maternal fetal medicine atGeisinger Medical Center.

CLASS OF 1978Michael G. Eyer, DO, Abbottstown, PA,opened his own clinic, LincolnwayHealthCare, dedicated to holistic medicineand homeopathy. Dr. Eyer continues to workat Family Medical Associates in Manchester,Maryland.

Steven D. Kamajian, DO, Montrose, CA, and his practice, Westminster Free MedicalClinic, were the recipients of the AstraZenecaSpirit of Humanity Award presented by theAmerican Osteopathic Foundation.

Michael K. Polnerow, DO, Thornton, PA,was recognized by Delaware Today (October2010) as one of the “Top Doctors inNephrology.”

CLASS OF 1979Liebert M. Colombo, DO, Milton, FL,was appointed medical director for SantaRosa Occupational Health.

Walter C. Ehrenfeuchter, DO, Suwanee, GA,was invited to write five chapters—in collabo-ration with Mark Sandhouse, DO—for theprestigious textbook Foundations of OsteopathicMedicine (third edition). This textbook is usedby many schools in the United States andabroad as a primary reference for item writingfor COMLEX—Levels I, II and III.

CLASS OF 1980Thomas M. Bozzuto, DO, Albany, GA,returned from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where he was the only physician presenting

CLASS OF 1984Debra K. Spatz, DO, Port Republic, MD,was inducted into Pottsgrove School District’sHall of Fame.

CLASS OF 1985Kirth W. Steele, DO, Pensacola, FL, wasappointed medical director of the HospitalistProgram at West Florida Hospital.

CLASS OF 1986Arnold B. Glassman, DO, Broomall, PA,was recognized by Delaware Today (October2010) as one of the “Top Doctors in PhysicalMedicine–Rehabilitation.”

Deebeanne M. Tavani, DO, Garnet Valley,PA, was recognized by Main Line Today(December 2010) as one of the 21 “best ofthe best” doctors chosen out of 420 “TopDocs” from Chester, Delaware andMontgomery counties.

CLASS OF 1987Anthony E. DiMarco, DO, Kennett Square,PA, was recognized by Main Line Today(December 2010) as one of the “Top Doctorsin Family Practice” in Chester, Delaware andMontgomery counties.

Anthony B. Furey, DO, Wilmington, DE,was recognized by Delaware Today (October2010) as one of the “Top Doctors inCardiovascular Disease.”

John F. Perri, DO, Chula Vista, CA, retiredfrom the United States Navy Medical Corpsas a Captain after a 20-year career. Dr. Perriwas the program director of the pulmonary/critical care fellowship program at NavalMedical Center in San Diego. In January2010, he was the officer in charge of the casualty receiving team, Ship 8, embarkedaboard the USS Bataan in support of reliefoperations in Haiti. His team cared for 90earthquake casualties on board ship, had thefirst child born on the USS Bataan andimmunized close to 7,000 Haitians.

Stanley J. Savinese, DO, Glen Mills, PA, wasrecognized by Main Line Today (December2010) as one of the “Top Doctors in FamilyPractice” in Chester, Delaware andMontgomery counties.

Kennedy J. Sbat, DO, Pottstown, PA, hadhis article, “Breathe Easy: It’s Never Too Lateto Break the Smoking Habit,” published inthe November 8, 2010, issue of Mercury.

the US-approved primary course in hyper-baric medicine to a group of physicians and technical staff. He also teaches this courseannually in São Paulo, Brazil. Dr. Bozzuto isthe medical director of the Phoebe WoundCare and Hyperbaric Center in Albany.

Michael F. Shank, DO, Thornton, PA, wasrecognized by Main Line Today (December2010) as one of the “Top Doctors in FamilyPractice” in Chester, Delaware andMontgomery counties.

Joseph F. Talarico, DO, Zelienople, PA, was elected president of the PennsylvaniaSociety of Anesthesiologists. Dr. Talarico isan assistant professor of anesthesiology at theUniversity of Pittsburgh and the director ofthe osteopathic internship program atUPMC Mercy in Pittsburgh.

CLASS OF 1981 John W. Fornace, DO, Royersford, PA, wasrecognized by Main Line Today (December2010) as one of the “Top Doctors inCardiology” in Chester, Delaware andMontgomery counties.

Alexander Rosenau, DO, Allentown, PA, waselected secretary-treasurer of the AmericanCollege of Emergency Physicians. Dr. Rosenauis senior vice chair and an attending physicianin the emergency department at Lehigh ValleyHospital and Health Network.

CLASS OF 1982Barry L. Bakst, DO, Wilmington, DE, wasrecognized by Delaware Today (October 2010) as one of the “Top Doctors in PhysicalMedicine–Rehabilitation.”

Janice A. Knebl, DO, Fort Worth, TX, co-authored “Recruitment of Subjects intoClinical Trials” published in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association.

William Meis, DO, Glenside, PA, with JohnLouis, MD, performed an abdominal wallreconstruction surgery, a first-time procedureat Pottstown Memorial Medical Center. Thiscomplex abdominal operation brings relief topatients suffering from severe abdominal pain.

CLASS OF 1983Janet L. Brown, DO, Royersford, PA, was recognized by Main Line Today (December2010) as one of the “Top Doctors in FamilyPractice” in Chester, Delaware andMontgomery counties.

Charles L. White, Jr., DO, Cleveland, GA,joined the medical staff at Mount YonahFamily Practice in Cleveland.


CLass nOtes

CLASS OF 1988Patrick L. Elliott, Jr., DO, Media, PA, wasrecognized by Main Line Today (December2010) as one of the “Top Doctors in GeneralSurgery” in Chester, Delaware and Mont-gomery counties.

Wayne T. Jones, DO, Westfield, NY, joinedthe medical staff in the emergency departmentat Westfield Memorial Hospital.

Ronald M. Lieberman, DO, CamdenWyoming, DE, was recognized by DelawareToday (October 2010) as one of the “TopDoctors in Physical Medicine–Rehabilitation.”

Sharon L. Zellis, DO, Chesterbrook, PA,was recognized by Main Line Today(December 2010) as one of the “Top Doctorsin Dermatology” in Chester, Delaware andMontgomery counties.

CLASS OF 1991Norman M. Callahan, III, DO, Berwyn, PA, was recognized by Main Line Today(December 2010) as one of the “Top Doctorsin Gastroenterology” in Chester, Delaware andMontgomery counties.

Elaine Gonzalez, DO, Chadds Ford, PA, was recognized by Main Line Today(December 2010) as one of the “Top Doctorsin Pediatrics” in Chester, Delaware andMontgomery counties.

Michael F. Prime, DO, Media, PA, was recognized by Main Line Today (December2010) as one of the “Top Doctors in FamilyPractice” in Chester, Delaware andMontgomery counties.

CLASS OF 1992Robert K. Ilowite, DO, Hillsborough, NJ,had his research article titled “The Identifica-tion and Treatment of Subclinical Sun Damagewith 5-Fluorouracil Cream: A Small, Prospec-tive Pilot Study” published in the June 2010edition of Cosmetic Dermatology.

CLASS OF 1993Michael S. Lagnese, DO, Philadelphia, PA,was appointed to a new critical care specialistgroup at Grand View Hospital. As an inten-sivist, Dr. Lagnese is focused on helping criti-cally ill and injured patients to recover fasterand with fewer complications.

Daniel C. Lazowick, DO, Glen Mills, PA,was recognized by Main Line Today(December 2010) as one of the “Top Doctorsin Internal Medicine” in Chester, Delawareand Montgomery counties.

CLASS OF 1994Stacey J. Carlitz, DO, Delmont, PA, joinedthe medical staff at Excela Health and willpractice at Gyno Associates in Latrobe.

Gayllyn M. Faust-Rakos, DO, LaurysStation, PA, joined the medical staff at St.Luke’s Physician Group in Allentown.

Patrick L. Spencer, DO, Dayton, OH, waselected chairman of the ophthalmologydepartment at Grandview and South ViewMedical Centers.

CLASS OF 1995Sean P. Conroy, DO, Glen Mills, PA, wasrecognized by Main Line Today (December2010) as one of the “Top Doctors in FamilyPractice” in Chester, Delaware andMontgomery counties.

CLASS OF 1989Margot L. Waitz, DO, Chadds Ford, PA,was recognized by Delaware Today (October2010) as one of the “Top Doctors inAdolescent Medicine.”

CLASS OF 1990Sang Won Dacri-Kim, DO, Beavercreek,OH, joined the medical staff at MeritasSurgical in Newark. Dr. Dacri-Kim is alsoaffiliated with the Medical Center of Newark.

Kurt G. Datz, DO, Bismarck, ND, joinedthe medical staff at Alexius Medical Center inBismarck as a hospitalist.

Certificates of MeritJoseph T. Conroy, DO ’94, Media, PA, was awarded Diplomate status from theAmerican Board of Clinical Lipidology.

Craig N. Czyz, DO ’03, Columbus, OH, was inducted as a Fellow of the AmericanCollege of Osteopathic Surgeons.

Arthur J. DeMarsico, DO ’95, Altoona, PA, was inducted as a Fellow of the AmericanCollege of Osteopathic Surgeons.

Joseph Heck, DO ’88, Henderson, NV, was elected United States Representative toCongress for Nevada’s Third District.

Steven P. Kerner, DO ’98, Chapin, SC, was inducted as a Fellow of the AmericanCollege of Osteopathic Surgeons.

John J. McPhilemy, DO ’78, Lafayette Hill, PA, was selected as Team Physician of theYear by the National Basketball Association.

William J. Meis, DO ’82, Glenside, PA, was inducted as a Fellow of the AmericanCollege of Osteopathic Surgeons.

Janie L. Orrington-Myers, DO ’99, Mechanicsville, VA, was inducted as a Fellow ofthe American College of Osteopathic Surgeons.

Armando C. Sciullo, DO ’97, Grove City, PA, was inducted as a Fellow of theAmerican College of Osteopathic Surgeons.

Carlos A. Valladares, DO ’96, Eighty Four, PA, was inducted as a Fellow of theAmerican College of Osteopathic Surgeons.

John M. Kauffman, Jr., DO ’86, Blacksburg, VA, was named Founding Dean ofCampbell University’s proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Robert S. Maurer, DO ’62, Edison, NJ, was the recipient of PCOM’s O.J. SnyderMemorial Medal. In addition, Dr. Maurer was honored for his 41 years of service as aboard member of the PCOM Alumni Association and as alumni representative to thePCOM Board of Trustees.

William G. McDowell, DO ’54, Hermitage, PA, was commended for his many yearsof service as a board member of the PCOM Alumni Association. Dr. McDowellwas applauded for being an excellent representative for the western part of Pennsylvania.

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John J. Orris, DO, Chester Springs, PA, wasrecognized by Main Line Today (December2010) as one of the “Top Doctors in Obstetrics& Gynecology” in Chester, Delaware andMontgomery counties.

CLASS OF 1996Christopher C. Clark, DO, and his wife,Caitlin S. Clark, DO ’98, Erie, PA, were fea-tured in the article “Erie Doctors Juggle Jobs,Family,” published in the Erie Times-News(November 15, 2010). Dr. Clark is chief qual-ity officer at Saint Vincent Health System andpresident of the Erie County Medical Society.

Robert W. Hindman, DO, Downingtown,PA, was recognized by Main Line Today(December 2010) as one of the “Top Doctorsin Internal Medicine” in Chester, Delawareand Montgomery counties.

CLASS OF 1997David A. Broyles, DO, Glen Mills, PA, wasrecognized by Main Line Today (December2010) as one of the “Top Doctors in FamilyPractice” in Chester, Delaware andMontgomery counties.

Rupal S. Kothari, DO, Boothwyn, PA, wasrecognized by Main Line Today (December2010) as one of the “Top Doctors inGastroenterology” in Chester, Delaware andMontgomery counties.

Jeffery T. Lumley, DO, Royersford, PA, wasrecognized by Main Line Today (December2010) as one of the “Top Doctors in InternalMedicine” in Chester, Delaware andMontgomery counties.

Dennis S. Probst, DO, Lock Haven, PA,opened a new practice, Haven FamilyPractice, in Lock Haven.

CLASS OF 1998Karen E. Agersborg, DO, Philadelphia, PA, was inducted into Cambridge’s Who’s Whofor her demonstrated dedication to patientcare, leadership, medical education and overall excellence in health care. Dr.Agersborg serves as chief of endocrinology at Chestnut Hill Hospital.

Caitlin S. Clark, DO, and her husband,Christopher C. Clark, DO ’96, Erie, PA, were featured in the article “Erie Doctors JuggleJobs, Family,” published in the Erie Times-News(November 15, 2010). Dr. Clark is medicaldirector of Saint Vincent Family MedicineCenter, associate director of its FamilyResidency Program, and chairwoman of theSaint Vincent Medical Group.

Jan E. Gavis, DO, West Chester, PA, wasrecognized by Main Line Today (December2010) as one of the “Top Doctors in InternalMedicine” in Chester, Delaware andMontgomery counties.

Robert H. Evans, DO, Jamaica, NY, spear-headed Rochdale Village Health Heart Projectin conjunction with Senator Shirley Huntleyof the Tenth Senatorial District, New York.This wellness initiative was aimed at empower-ing African American women to combat heartdisease through the usage of a new testingdevice for heart disease called MultifunctionCardiogram or MCG, a risk-free test for diag-nosing ischemic heart disease. The goal was toscreen 120 members of the community.

Brian D. Rosenthal, DO, Blue Bell, PA, was recognized by Main Line Today(December 2010) as one of the “Top Doctorsin Urology” in Chester, Delaware andMontgomery counties.

CLASS OF 1999Edmund M. Sciullo, III, DO, CamdenWyoming, DE, was recognized by DelawareToday (October 2010) as one of the “TopDoctors in Emergency Medicine.”

Becky A. Souder, DO, Malvern, PA, was recognized by Main Line Today (December2010) as one of the “Top Doctors in FamilyPractice” in Chester, Delaware andMontgomery counties.

Jennifer K. Stuck, DO, Exton, PA, was recognized by Main Line Today (December2010) as one of the “Top Doctors inObstetrics & Gynecology” in Chester,Delaware and Montgomery counties.

CLASS OF 2000Howard B. Goldstein, DO, Garnet Valley,PA, was recognized by Delaware Today(October 2010) as one of the “Top Doctorsin Urogynecology.”

Scott J. Loev, DO, Dresher, PA, and hispractice, the Spine and Pain Center inQuakertown, were recently presented withthe Purdue Partners Against Pain Award presented by the American OsteopathicFoundation. This award recognizes a physician, center or program that has madegreat strides in the field of pain research,management or improving the quality of life for people living with acute and/orchronic pain.

CLASS OF 2001Keith W. Harris, II, DO, Wading River, NY, was named 2010 Man of the Year inMedicine by the Port Times Record. Dr. Harrisis the founding director of the intensivist pro-gram at Mather Hospital in Port Jefferson.

Eugenio L. Menendez, DO, FortLauderdale, FL, opened a new practice,Pompano Beach Internal Medicine.

David C. Raab, DO, Paoli, PA, was recognized by Main Line Today (December2010) as one of the “Top Doctors inOrthopedics” in Chester, Delaware andMontgomery counties.

John N. Riccardo, Jr., DO, Downingtown,PA, was recognized by Main Line Today(December 2010) as one of the “Top Doctorsin Family Practice” in Chester, Delaware andMontgomery counties.

In MemoriamCharles T. Andrews, DO ’74, York, PA,February 4, 2011.

Nadav Aviv, DO ’06, Holmdel, NJ,January 17, 2011.

Morton Gerson Coopersmith, DO ’57,Waldoboro, ME, January 15, 2011.

Charles J. Del Marco, DO ’60, Bozeman,MT, December 31, 2010.

O. John Donati, DO ’50, West Chester,PA, January 11, 2011.

John Goodwin Hoffler, DO ’58,Riverton, NJ, December 9, 2010.

Samson A. Inwald, DO ’56, BinghamFarms, MI, November 21, 2010.

Grace Helsel Kaiser, DO ’50, Phoenix,AZ, December 22, 2010.

Roberta Helen Conover Root Kelch,DO ’42, Tustin, CA, November 17, 2010.

Robert E. Mancini, DO ’77, ManchesterCenter, VT, November 17, 2010.

Martin H. Rosenthal, DO ’50, Voorhees,NJ, December 12, 2010.

M. Paul Simon, DO ’46, Short Hills, NJ,January 2, 2011.


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26

Erik S. Storm, DO, Virginia Beach, VA,joined the medical staff at Medical CenterRadiologists in Norfolk.

JessiCa Landham,ms/Fm ’08Serving the Community, One Career at a TimeSometimes a book can change a life. That

was the case for Ms. Landham when she readBody Farm by Patricia Cornwell. Filled withbehind-the-scenes forensic activities of theprotagonist, chief medical examiner KayScarpetta, the book got Ms. Landhamhooked. “I fell in love with forensic anthro-pology,” she admits.

So Ms. Landham built her undergraduatedegree around biology and anthropology. She supplemented her coursework with aninternship at the New Jersey State Police Lab working with Donna Fontana, the onlyforensic anthropologist in the state. She also spent a summer at Louisiana StateUniversity studying craniofacial reconstruction. “Forensic anthropology is amazing,” she says. “You can determine a person’s sex, age and race from a single bone.”

Knowing that jobs in forensic anthropology are few and far between, Ms. Landhamtook a year off while she planned how to pursue a career in forensics. Looking at variousprograms, she discovered PCOM’s forensic medicine program. “I liked the fact that theprogram was multidisciplinary,” she says.

An intense job search after graduating from PCOM’s forensic medicine programlanded her a dream job—deputy coroner in Lexington, Kentucky. “As deputy coroners,we are concerned with the body, not the crime scene,” she explains. She either goes tothe scene of the death, which may be a residence or a nursing home, or, as is often thecase, she sees victims at University of Kentucky Healthcare, the only level one traumacenter in the state.

“With trauma cases, which are often car accidents, I talk to the doctors and firstresponders and do an in-depth investigation. My report has to be very specific and verythorough,” she explains. “I may get called to the witness stand, and I need to be able tostand by all my facts.

“The biggest challenge of the job,” she continues, “is trying to help the family that’s left behind. It’s usually the deputy coroner who has to tell the family about thedeath and it’s a struggle, especially in the case of a child. I need to step back and be professional, but I don’t want to be a stoic robot. I become an advocate for the family.”

As much as she loves her job, the realities of tough economic times, which have down-sized her full-time position in the coroner’s office to part-time, have led Ms. Landham tobegin the next stage of her career—she has enrolled in nursing school. Ms. Landhamplans to be an emergency room nurse specializing as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner.

“My experience and training in forensics will give me a leg up,” she points out. “I can recognize things that others may not, such as child abuse. It’s not always cut anddried—there’s not always a smoking gun. Forensics will always be an interest of mine,and nursing is something I can always fall back on. I want to keep my doors and oppor-tunities open. I want a career where I can serve my community the best way I can.”

CLASS OF 2002Edward J. Armbruster, DO, Yardley, PA,earned a Certificate of Added Qualification inSurgery of the Hand from the AmericanOsteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery.

Oliver J. Wisco, DO, Arlington, MA, joinedthe medical staff at Mystic Valley Derma-tology Associates, PC, in Stoneham.

CLASS OF 2003Charisse C. Davenport, DO, Joppa, MD,was named assistant medical director atPatient First – White Marsh.

Kelly L. Ecker, DO, Chester, PA, joined theCrozer-Keystone Health Network. Dr. Eckerwill care for infants at Crozer-Keystone’s twointensive care nurseries, the Crozer-ChesterMedical Center in Upland and DelawareCounty Memorial Hospital in Drexel Hill.

Keith L. Leaphart, DO, Philadelphia, PA,joined the board of directors of the KimmelCenter. Dr. Leaphart is the founder and ownerof the Leaphart Group LLC, a physical medi-cine and rehabilitation practice located inPhiladelphia and Ardmore.

Christine Mitchell, DO, Auburn, ME, joinedthe board of directors of Feeding the People.Dr. Mitchell practices medicine at the PortlandOsteopathic Children’s Clinic in Portland.

Armen M. Sevag, DO, Media, PA, was rec-ognized by Main Line Today (December2010) as one of the “Top Doctors in FamilyPractice” in Chester, Delaware andMontgomery counties.

Delvena R. Thomas, DO, Miami, FL, wasdeployed to Afghanistan with the United StatesArmy Reserves. Dr. Thomas is a psychiatrist.

CLASS OF 2004Rebecca A. Nice, DO, Telford, PA, was therecipient of the Young Alumni Award presented by Christopher Dock MennoniteHigh School.

Heather Vitelli Olex, DO, Media, PA,opened her new practice, Osteopathic MedicalAssociates, PLLC, in Newtown Square.

Jason W. Velez, DO, Roswell, GA, joined themedical staff at Resurgens Orthopaedics intheir Johns Creek and Roswell offices.

CLASS OF 2005Brian A. Acunto, DO, Brigantine, NJ, joinedthe medical staff at AtlantiCare RegionalMedical Center in Galloway.

CLASS OF 2006Anita Ketty Pascucci, DO, Berlin, MD,joined the medical staff at Atlantic GeneralHospital/Health System in Berlin.

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CLASS OF 2007Lauren E. Baker, DO, Philadelphia, PA,joined the medical staff at TriValley PrimaryCare in Indian Valley.

Susan M. Baroody, DO, HanoverTownship, PA, joined the medical staff at Wright Center for Primary Care in Clarks Summit.

Michael P. Greenage, DO, Roanoke, VA, is a psychiatric resident at Carilion Clinic in Roanoke.

Bradley A. Kleinert, DO, Bala Cynwyd, PA, participated in “Doctors on Call,” apatient-outreach television program broadcast by CBS-3 Philadelphia inSeptember. Dr. Kleinert is an anesthesiologyresident at Temple University Hospital inPhiladelphia.

Nicole L. Longo, DO, Philadelphia, PA, wasawarded third place at the American Collegeof Internists Annual Convention for herposter titled “Urinalysis: An UnderutilizedResource; Indications and Interpretations.”

Scott E. Zalut, DO, Philadelphia, PA, par-ticipated in “Doctors on Call,” a patient-outreach television program broadcast byCBS-3 Philadelphia in September. Dr. Zalutis an anesthesiology resident at TempleUniversity Hospital in Philadelphia.

CLass nOtes


REUNION-YEAR CLASSAGENTS1946 – Murry E. Levyn, DO

Martin S. Neifield, DO

1951 – Lawrence H. Zinner, DO

1956 – Jay H. Joseph, DO

1961 – Yale R. Bobrin, DO

1966 – H Michael Zal, DO

1971 – Carol A. Fox, MMPat A. Lannutti, DOJohn P. Simelaro, DORobert R. Speer, DO

1976 – Robert H. Biggs, DO

1981 – Bernard J. Bernacki, DOGerald E. Dworkin, DOMichael P. Hahalyak, DO

1986 – Jane Siehl Moore, DO John C. Sefter, DO

1991 – Luke G. Nelligan, DO Melissa Neumann Schwartz, DO

1996 – Joanne Hullings, DO

DIGEST MAGAZINE IS NOW ON FACEBOOK!Search for “Digest Magazine – Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine”and click “Like” at the top of the page to become a fan.

2011 DO ALUMNI SURVEYAs part of the College’s responsibilities for accreditation and state/federal authorizations,information must be gathered from graduates: about your career path(s), about yourpractice and education and about your life post-graduation. The first of the surveys is for osteopathic medical graduates. The College requests that all PCOM DO graduates complete this short online survey by going to the following site: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/pcomalum.

You can also go to www.pcom.edu and click on the Alumni tab at the top of the page,which will direct you to a page with a button for you to click to begin the survey.

We thank you in advance for participating in the 2011 survey. Results will help theCollege to make assessments that will allow it to continue to pursue excellence at all levels.

Michael P. Greenage, DO ’07, Roanoke, VA, married Laura Koons on June 12, 2010, at the Inn at Nichols Village in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania.

Lisa D. Held, DO ’04, Belmont Hills, PA, married Michael McIlhinney on October 21, 2010.

Kara Fisher Miller, DO ’05, Elizabeth City, NC, and her husband, Jeremy, are theproud parents of Chloe Ann, born on August 6, 2010.

Lisa C. Sklar, PhD, DO ’05, and Scott D. Goodroad, DO ’06, Harker Heights, TX, are the proud parents of Gabriel Benjamin, born on December 6, 2010, weighing 8 lb., 4 oz.

Daniel J. Wilkin, DO ’02, Hillsdale, NJ, and his wife, Jennifer, are the proud parents of Shane Valent, born on March 15, 2010. Baby Shane joins his big brothers Harrison and Sawyer.

Brian K. Yorkgitis, DO ’09, Philadelphia, PA, and his wife, Erin, are the proud parents of Amelia Grace, born on July 9, 2010.

Margaret Zawisza, DO ’10, Williamsport, PA, married David Young, MD, on June 12,2010, at St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church in Schuylkill Haven. The couple took awedding trip to Ogunquit, Maine.

On a Personal Note


man and not to any ordinarycareer. Go and do somethinggood for yourself because youare worth it.”

Other patients inspired mewith their stories of resilienceand courage. One whotouched me profoundly wasAngelina*, a young, vibrantwoman whose body had beenrocked physically from breastcancer, emotionally from adivorce, and then again fromamyotrophic lateral sclerosis.She refused to let her disease bring her down. Her father anddaughter religiously brought her into the office for checkupsand carried with them a three-inch binder that meticulouslydocumented her progress. When her most intimate partner hadleft her in the dark, her family had brought her into the lightand taken care of her with profound compassion and love.

But what touched me most was the pride that I saw in myfather’s face every time he introduced me to a patient or when Istruggled to come up with a diagnosis. He had built this practicewith nothing but the knowledge and business savvy that hadcome with growing up in a third world country, and the passionand dedication that he had discovered as a young medical stu-dent. To be able to join my father as both a confidant and healerfor his patients was both an honor and a personal triumph.

Over time, I felt my soul begin to make its repair; my heartfelt a little more full from being able to give back some of thelove, strength and knowledge my father had given me for solong. I re-emerged, recharged and stronger, and ready to con-tinue my passage into medicine.

Since returning to school, I’ve still had an occasional badday. Sometimes, I forget the bigger picture; I get caught up inthe details of a pharmacology lecture or get frustrated when Iam in the library at 11:00 p.m. on a Friday. But I have a senseof balance now; I prioritize my family and friends when I can,and I remember my ultimate goal. I fondly recall the image ofmy father’s face when we used to dispute over diagnoses andthe excitement and thrill he got out of sparring with me. AndI think about all those remarkable patients who let me intotheir lives and gave me the opportunity to learn from and beinspired by them. As little as I could give them, they gave meso much more.

* Patients’ names have been changed to protect their privacy.

There was a moment when I was speaking at the WhiteCoat Ceremony for the Class of 2013 when I thought I mightcollapse. My drenching perspiration became so cold that mylimbs quietly shivered; I clutched the lectern, afraid of fallingunder the weight of the responsibility I was carrying. Thisclass was still freshly entrenched in the chaos that is the begin-ning of medical school. Who was I to be giving them advice?Despite having a year of medical school behind me, I felt nearly as overwhelmed as they must have felt on that occasion.

At the time, I was going through some of my darkest days asa medical student. I had lost my faith in medicine. I had lostmy passion for what opportunities lay ahead and instead hadconvinced myself that I was in the wrong place. I felt that anytalents I had had been stripped of me; my soul felt naked,exposed for all its flaws. I was ready to give up. I wanted every-thing to stop—even for a few minutes—so that I could collectmyself and decide how to take the next step. Circumstancesforced me to leave school, unsure of when, or if, I would return.

I spent nine months rejuvenating myself, exploring medicine with a renewed sense of perspective. None of myexperiences was as fulfilling as the time I spent working withmy father, a family physician. I wanted to do something thatwould reignite—in my soul—that sense of excitement and fervor that my dad possesses. Each day, I did basic H&Ps,scribed notes on the electronic health record system and lookedup articles. Despite the fact that I was his daughter, my fathershowed little mercy; I was expected to read up on the cases Isaw each day and be ready to present a patient at any time.

In working with him, I witnessed how my father practicedmedicine; he gave patients time, respect and good advice. Heencouraged patients to take control of their health and provid-ed them with the support and tools they needed. Over time, Itoo began to build a rapport with patients; some of them evenbegan to count on my presence, even if I had little ability totreat them. I taught older patients how to take their medicineand encouraged them to follow directives to help treat theirmedical problems. In return, patients took me under theirwings and made me feel loved in an incredibly humbling way.

Early on, I met Mary Kate*, who had narrowly escaped thethroes of death from COPD through intensive pulmonaryrehabilitation. Mary Kate was a feisty woman who clearly hadbeen through a lot of personal hardship. One day, she grabbedmy arm and pulled herself so close to me that I could feel herbreath on my face. “Now you listen to me,” she said. “I hearyour dad talk about you all the time. Now that I have metyou, I know why he dotes on you so much. You’ve got every-thing going for you. Don’t ever sell yourself short—not to any

my tURn essay

Falling to grace by anupriya grover (dO ’13)

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